Prepare Him RoomSample

Embrace Expectancy 

Today’s Reading: Luke 1

Righteous and barren. Honorable and heartbroken. It’s hard to put such words together. Zechariah and Elizabeth loved God and honored Him with their lives, even though their quiet home reminded them daily that God hadn’t come through for them in the way they had hoped. 

What happens in your heart when God doesn’t give you what you want? Do you loosen your grip on what you know to be true? Do you wander from the very things that keep your soul free and whole? Especially at Christmastime, we tend to gravitate toward indulgence because we prefer to feel a surface level of happiness than to acknowledge the pain buried beneath the surface.   

But the loving voice of our Savior beckons us back to a place of honesty so He can lead us to a better place of hopeful expectancy. He never overlooks our prayers or underestimates our worth. He delights in every detail of our lives. Confident hope is our birthright when we belong to Him.

Elizabeth and Zechariah were people of depth and conviction. They honored God with their lives even though (it seemed) He hadn’t heard their prayer. 

But then one day their story takes a turn. And, as it happened. . . Don’t you just love that phrase?

God ordained it one day for Zechariah to enter the Temple to offer sacrifices. I’m not sure what Zechariah expected, but I think it’s safe to say he was not at all prepared for what was about to happen. Zechariah was alone. And then he wasn’t. Right before his eyes an angel of the Lord visibly appeared and spoke audibly to Zechariah. Not a dream or vision. This happened! 

Try to imagine Zechariah’s response. His cheeks flushed, his heart raced, and he forgot to breathe. Zechariah was shaken to his core and overwhelmed with fear. Think about it. Even though Zechariah righteously loved and honored God, he was left speechless when God finally moved miraculously in his life.

People used to say Elizabeth was barren. But no more. 

Do you believe God is capable of changing the narrative of your story? Can you embrace the idea that He wants to do such a thing for you?

What if you engaged your faith this Advent season? Decided to believe for the impossible? Prioritized essential things you know are necessary? And what if you dared to lift your requests before the Lord? Are you ready to dream again? It’s time for expectancy to make a comeback.

Pray: Lord, show me the ways I’ve lost expectancy. Help me to believe You for miracles once again. Amen.

Prepare: Take a moment to sit with God and dream a little. Write down what surfaces for you.